Hope For Horses = $2183.25!

Treehouse = $413.63 + clothing & toys

Canyon Hills Food Bank = $206.82 + over 400# of food!

Total Raised = $2803.70!!!

The most popular activity at the Event was of course the Pony Rides!

Who is having more fun?

Cute!

HHABC is proud to announce an additional charity we are partnering with for the May 22 Event. Treehouse in Seattle offers programs for kids in foster care what all children so desperately need: a safe place to dream.

Treehouse fills the gaps.

Since 1988, Treehouse has filled the gaps for kids in foster care, providing services that no other agency addresses: money for extra-curricular activities and summer camp, professional educational support services, resources to fully participate in the everyday activities of growing up, clothing and supplies to help them fit in at school.

HHABC will become an ongoing partner for this wonderful organization and provide special event days for these kids. Learn more about Treehouse and how you can help by visiting their website:  www.treehouseforkids.org.

WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP:

• Bring gently used or new kid clothing for the clothing drive and drop off at HHABC. A bag of used clothes will earn games, pony rides, pictures and more during the Event.
• Donate at the info booth
• Tell all your coworkers and friends about the event to bring clothing or food and of course the kids or themselves to this great event!
• Donate any gently used garage sale clothing after the Event

Help HHABC raise much needed funds, clothing, food and more for horses and humans May 22!

THANK YOU ALL,

We have had an overwhelming response to the May 22 Event and volunteers asking what they can do to help. I am humbled and not surprised that so many wonderful humans call HHABC their “Horsey-Home.”

We at HHABC understand how the economy has affected each of our lives and affected our family, friends and coworkers. HHABC strives to support local charities and provide education and awareness to the community through the HHABC Blog and other venues.

WHY SCHOLARSHIPS:

My primary life goal has been to educate and help people understand their world through the eyes of these humble, kind, cooperative (although opinionated and moody at times) equine partners and friends. To be selected as a herd leader by one of these creatures is a privilege and honor. They value character above all else: Kindness, Gentleness, Patience, Self-Control, Fairness, Loyalty, and Evenness of Temper.  These traits are lacking in much of our world and to find a place of tranquility in the presence of these great creatures as teachers is humbling.

As we humans (and especially this human) continues to strive and attain the character traits that horses value in their leaders, we at HHABC purpose to help others find and learn these same values.

One of the ways HHABC helps is through a Scholarship Fund for horse crazy kids that would otherwise not be afforded the privilege of learning from these great friends we call horses. Many families have come to me over the years with all of their child’s savings just to experience 1 (or maybe 4) lessons. I used to be one of these kids.

As we all know, horse experiences mean a whole lot more to many of us and the opportunity to share this experience is vital. I want to thank all of the current Human -Equine Assistance Lessons (HEAL) and Lessons For Life Partners at HHABC for making the dream a reality for so many kids that otherwise would not get this opportunity.

HOW IT WORKS:

HHABC and clients donate funds to allow kids of all ages the opportunity to continue lessons in this rich, character-building environment. While we have been able to assist some of the families that come to HHABC, our ultimate goal is to additionally help disprivileged kids through foster kid programs like Treehouse Foundation in Seattle.

Learn more …

This organization, like others, provides outlets through programs like Little Wishes and Summer Camp funds. HHABC would like to participate and offer programs to these kids.

If you are interested in finding out more or participating in this endeavor, contact robyn@horsehavenatbearcreek.com.  I have always believed, “change one child, you can change the world.”

Note:

Funds at this time are not tax deductible. We are currently researching the 501c3 Non-Profit status for “Hooves With Heart.” This Organization is the brain-child of many of us who wish to become involved in a higher purpose: for the sake of kids through horses. Over this next year, it is our desire to see this Foundation come alive! More information will be available on the Blog>category>Hooves With Heart.

Again, my heart felt thanks to all the HHABC clients and fans that are helping and will help to make this special Foundation and other programs for kids a reality!

Robyn Smith

My Lily, My Friend

By Robyn Smith

I liked you the moment you came to my herd

I knew right away you were quite a rare bird.

You jumped in the air with the greatest of ease

Scared all those around you and did as you pleased

I wanted to know you, your quirks and the rest

And very soon learned – you were the best

Your patience with people was second to none

Despite the fact you weighed almost a ton

You took care with the kids and silly beginners

Never complaining and helping riders become winners

With all that you knew, you gave us a chance

To learn the incredible, gifted horse dance

The protector you were – no one could deny

For Lady and Safire to the rescue you’d fly

Lily-Saurus we named you for all your great size

But you were gentle and kind to everyone’s surprise

Over the years your expertise grew

Dealing with humans and helping them through

Never complaining-despite how you felt

You were stoic, brave and clearly just dealt

Through pain and discomfort you taught us a lot

Your expressions at times just couldn’t be bought

Your graciousness showed through extreme self-control

The kindness you showed came right from your soul.

At the end of your life as I looked in your eyes

I knew it was time to send you into the skies

Clearly and peacefully- your voice said in me

Thank you for caring and setting me free…

My Lily, My Friend

In my opinion, HHABC (Horse Haven at Bear Creek) is the result of providence.  When my husband and I came to tour Doggy Haven Resort as a possible business venture, I took one look at the property next door and said “I want to live over there.”  One and a half years later, a Doggy Haven employee called to say that a realtor had stopped by and the property was going on the market.  I was ecstatic and ready to buy on the spot.  My husband David was of course the voice of reason “we don’t know anything about running a horse ranch”, but I didn’t care, I just new it was right.

Once negotiations were underway for the property – we realized that we would need a partner, someone to manage the actual hands-on, day to day running of the barn.  We could handle the business end, and even the manual labor, but doing the actual horse handling would require someone skilled.  People weren’t going to leave their horses in our care just because we loved them.  We needed someone that knew all about horses and how to care for them, and who wanted what we wanted; a low-key, family friendly place where people would feel at home, and know that their horses were receiving the best care possible.  We asked around and got a few referrals but none seemed quite right.  

I had begun researching boarding facilities online to find out more about the business end.  What services were offered, what were the environments like and what did people want in regards to lessons and training.  I was looking at one stable when I came across the bio of a trainer – Robyn Smith, and knew I had to meet her.  She sounded exactly like what I was looking for.  I called to set up a meeting with her, but she was no longer with that stable and they had no forwarding information.  I tried different online searches, but came up blank.   

We decided to post an ad on Craigslist for a business opportunity.  Within a day we received several responses to the ad… but most amazing was that several were from students saying we needed to talk to their instructor.  Who did that turn out to be?  None other than Robyn Smith! 

When we got to the stable to meet her, a petite blonde with sparkling blue eyes and a ready laugh greeted us.  She was bubbling over with energy and talked non-stop during our entire tour of the facility.  She mostly spoke about the horses and their different personalities and how they helped her teach her students.  The passion and respect she felt for these animals was unmistakable.  

She brought a horse the color of a new copper penny into the arena, removed the halter and lead rope and shooed her away.  This copper penny (also named Robbin), jumped, bucked, twisted and snorted like I had only seen wild bronc’s do.  Then Robyn (the human) slapped her rope on the ground and called, and Robbin (the horse) came trotting over.  She asked my husband to come into the arena and promptly shut the gate in my face, with a smile.  Now that I know her better, I’m sure it was the look of fear in my eyes for my husband’s safety.  But for some reason, I trusted this woman enough to keep quiet.

She sent my husband walking down the arena wall and with a nod and point, sent Robbin trotting after.  She instructed my husband to turn right, left, stop and Robbin like a big red setter, followed at his side.  After getting my husband safely back on the other side of the wall, Robyn’s energy changed.  She was no longer thinking about us, but was completely focused on Robyn.  With a breath, look and slight movements of hand, she had Robbin backing, side-stepping and moving in sync with her own footsteps.  I have to admit I was in awe.  The other thing that I noticed while at that first meeting, and would only impress someone who has had to ‘catch’ and halter their own horses, was that every single horse, without exception, came at the sound of her voice and voluntarily bent their own head down into the halter she held for them.  We made an appointment to meet again, but for me, if Robyn was willing to join-up with us, the decision was already made – she was the one.  

The last part of completing our new venture was to find a live-in caretaker to tend to the horses and help watch over the place.  We got hundreds of applications and met with several competent horsemen and women, but again, no one seemed quite right.  It was getting down to the wire, two weeks to go before we opened the doors, and we knew we needed to make a decision.  I was just getting ready to send off an email offering the job to the best candidate we had found, when I got a response to our ad with an attachment that said ‘Dads Resume’.    It made me smile.

I called and we set an appointment to meet with Nate and his wife Mary.  Nate struck me as a quiet and thoughtful man, and Mary was optimistic with a laugh that made you want to join in.  They had helped run a 100 acre horse breeding farm for 20 years that had been sold to developers.  They had done everything – the books, kept up the property and tended to the health and welfare of the horses.  I was scratching my head wondering how these obviously over-qualified individuals had fallen into our laps, when Nate said the key words.  “I just need to be around horses”.

So who is HHABC?  In my opinion, it is the best group of horse loving, friendly people around.  We have the best family of boarders that any stable could be lucky enough to have, and wonderful and commited students who get that their horse is only as good as their leadership.  And best of all, a herd of the most opinionated, strong-willed and willing horses I have ever known.  

I consider myself truly blessed.

Donnell Boyd